MESSAGE   NO.   1 


OF 


HIS  EXCELLENCY  M.  L.  BONHAM, 


TO 


THE  LEGISLATURE 


AT    THE 


REGULAR   SESSION   OF   NOVEMBER,  1863. 


COLUMBIA,    S.   C. 
CHARLES  P.  PELHAM,  STATE  PRINTER. 

1863. 


MESSAGE    NO.    1 


OF 


HIS  EXCELLENCY  M.  h  BOfflAM, 


TO 


THE  LEGISLATURE 


AT   THE 


REGULAR    SESSION   OF   NOVEMBER,   1863 


COLUMBIA,    S.   C. 
CHARLES  P.  PELHAM,  STATE  PRINTER. 

1863. 


MESSAGE   NO.    1 


Executive  Department, 
Columbia,  November  23,  1863. 
Gentlemrn  of  the   Senate  and  Home  of  Representatives  : 

Since  your  last  annual  meeting,  the  enemy  has  obtained  possession  of 
Port  Hudson,  Vicksburg,  Chattanooga  and  Morris  Island,  not,  however, 
without  paying  dearly  for  his  possessions;  and  a  second  time  have  our 
troops  evacuated  Pennsylvania  and  Maryland,  though,  not  defeated.  There  is 
in  this,  no  cause  for  despondency.  He  is  this  day  relatively  weaker  than  he 
was  before  these  events,  his  armies  being  widely  separated,  and  further 
from  their  bases  of  supplies,  whilst  the  Confederacy  is  relatively  stronger, 
our  armies  possessing  the  facilities  for  more  rapid  concentration  by  interior 
lines,  and  being  nearer  their  bases  of  supplies.  The  great  battle  of 
Chickamauga,  in  which  some  of  Carolina's  noblest  sons  have  fallen, 
has  illustrated  the  truth  of  this  proposition.  Beyond  the  points 
obtained,  he  has  made  no  real  progress  towards  the  accomplishment  of 
his  purpose. — the  subjugation  of  the  South.  Our  harvests  have  been 
bountiful,  our  country  healthy,  and  our  people  have  been  rendered,  if  possi- 
ble, more  united  and  resolved,  by  the  vandalism  of  our  foes.  The  siege  of 
Charleston,  now  far  advanced  into  its  tifth  month,  conducted  with  a  power 
and  range  of  metal  and  destructiveness  of  projectiles,  hitherto  unknown 
in  warfare,  and  a  malignity  that  respects  neither  -sex,  age  or  condition, 
has  shown  to  our  enemies  that  they  will  probably  never  place  their  un- 
hallowed feet  upon  the  soil  of  that  brave  old  city;  but,  if  they  do,  it  will 
be  only  when  they  have  reduced  it  to  a  heap  of  ruins.  Sumter,  held  with 
a  gallantry  and  a  tenacity  which  will  immortalize  its  noble  defenders,  is 
now  in  ruins,  but  is  yet  a  giant  in  its  powers  of  resistance.  To  the  west 
of  the  Mississippi,  our  troops  have  gained  important  advantages.  In 
Tennessee,  the  enemy's  forces  are  besieged  in  Chattanooga  and  driven 
from  Knoxville",  and  the  army  of  the  Potomac  stands  ready  to  give  him 
another  Fredericksburg  reception.  It  behooves  us,  however,  not  to 
relax   our  efforts.      Untiring  energy   and    perseverance   are  essential   to 


success.  A  bitter  and  wily  %o  watches  our  every  movement,  prepared 
to  take  every  advantage.  Our  people  have  couoted  the  cost,  and  have 
determined  upon  independence  or  annihilation;  it  is  ours  to  leave  noth- 
ing undone  to  secure  the  object  of  this  revolution.  Never  was  the 
remark  more  applicable,  that  the  price  of  liberty  is  eternal  vigilance.  The 
Srate  Legislatures  have  no  unimportant  part  to  play-  in  this  great  drama. 
They  can  aid  the  Confederate  government,  by  assisting  in  clothing  the  troops, 
in  repelling  the  raids  of  our  enemies,  and  in  feeding  the  families  of  our 
soldiers  in  arms.  In  all  measures  which  you,  in  your  wisdom,  may  adopt, 
looking  to  the  successful  issue  of  this  great  struggle,  you  may,  gentlemen, 
rely  upon  my  hearty  co-operation. 

The  supplying  of  slave  labor  for  coast  defences  has  proved  perplexing. 
Our  energetic  State  Agent,  whose  report  is  herewith  transmitted,  has  done 
all  in  his  power  to  enforce  your  acts  ou  this  subject.  But  the  system 
has  not  furnished  all  the  labor  which  the  pressing  emergencies  at  Charles- 
ton required.  The  Confederate  General  felt  the  necessity  of  impressing, 
in  September  last,  additional  labor  to  secure  the  safety  of  the  city.  This 
action,  I  did  not,  under  the  circumstances,  hesitate  to  approve.  It  would 
seem  that  no  system  imposing  penalties,  is  likely  to  secure  equality  and 
success.  The  patriotic  send  their  slaves;  others  will  pay,  if  the  fine  is 
not  too  heavy,  or  tak§  the  chances  of  escape  through  the  Courts.  Much 
complaint  is  made  of  the  mismanagement  and  treatment  of  the  negroes;  of 
their  detention  in  violation  of  the  contract  and  the  law,  and  that  so  many 
citizens  furnish  no  labor  at  all.  The  first  complaint,  I  am  sorry  to  believe, 
there  is  foundation  for;  but  the  remedy  for  the  evil  is  difficult,  and  must 
necessarily  rest  with  the  Confederate  authorities.  The  second,  I  have  been 
given  to  understand,  arises  from  the  inability  of  the  State  authorities  to 
replace  the  labor  at  the  end  of  the  month.  The  third,  is  the  result  of  a 
radical  defect  in  the  system  itself.  If  labor  is  still  to  be  furnished,  and  I 
have  no  intimation  that  it  will  not  be  needed,  (so  long  as  the  coast  is 
invaded,  and  there  is  need  of  it,  it  ought  to  be  furnished,)  the  plan  which 
will  secure  the  greatest  equality,  in  my  judgment,  is  to  authorize  the  Gov- 
ernor or  State  Agent,  or  the  Confederate  General  commanding  the  depart- 
ment, if  it  is  preferred,  to  impress,  through  the  Commissioners  of  Roads, 
for  two  months'  service,  the  equal  proportion  of  every  slaveholder,  owning 
more  than  one  road  hand.  My  acquaintance,  for  some  years  past,  with  the 
organization  of  these  Boards,  leads  me  to  believe  that  they  would  fairly  and 
impartially  discharge  the  duty,  and  furnish  the  labor  promptly.  An  ex- 
tension of  the  time  of  service  is  recommended,  to  lessen  the  expenses  of 
transportation,  and  because  every  change  requires  a  new  organization, 
which  takes,  I  learn,  the  better  part  of  the  first  week.     Besides,  it  is  not 


the  time  the  hands  are  kept,  of  which  planters  complain,  if  they  are  ad- 
vertized of  it ;  it  is  their  detention,  contrary  to  the  understanding  and 
their  previous  arrangements.   • 

Owing  to  the  disorganization  of  the  State  militia,  hy  the  enforcement  of 
the  Conscript  Acts  of  Congress  up  to  the  age  of  forty-five,  it  will  require 
much  time  to  reorganize  it,  so  as  to  make  it  at  all  effective.  Upon  this 
subject,  I  ask  your  attention  to  the  Report  of  the  Adjutant  and  Inspector 
General.  In  the  present  condition  of  things,  a  permanent  force,  taken  by 
volunteering  or  by  draft,  proportionally  from  each  military  division  of  the 
State,  would  be  much  more  effective.  The  militia,  for  protection  against 
raids,  cannot  be  brought  so  promptly  into  the  field;  would  not  be  so  effec- 
tive ;  and  suddenly  called  out  by  regiments,  would  take  the  entire  agricul- 
tural white  labor  of  the  particular  regiments  from  home,  perhaps  at  harvest, 
perhaps  at  seed-time.  On  this  subject,  I  beg  leave  to  embody  an  extract 
from  the  recent  message  of  the  patriotic  Executive  of  (Georgia. 

Speaking  of  his  two  Regiments  of  State  troops,  their  protecting  the 
rear  of  General  Bragg's  army  since  he  has  been  near  Chattanooga,  and 
their  importance  in  time  of  war,  he  says  :  "  Had  the  State  not  been  able  to 
protect  his  rear,  the  General  must  have  sent  part  of  his  own  army  to  do 
that  duty,  which  would  have  weakened  his  force,  and  made  his  success 
more  doubtful.  *  *  *  *  In  case  of  a  raid  into  this  State,  this  force 
would  be  of  great  service  in  the  protection  of  public  and  private  property, 
and  in  repelling  the  aggressors.  No  State  in  the  Confederacy  should  be 
without  such  a  force  during  the  continuance  of  the  war,  as  emergencies 
must  frequently  arise  which  make  it  indispensably  necessary  that  the  State 
have  at  her  command  a  force  sufficient  to  suppress  slave  insurrections,  repel 
incursions  of  the  enemy,  or  meet  other  sudden  exigencies.  I  notice  that 
the  Governor  of  South  Carolina  has  lately  convened  the  Legislature,  and 
recommended  the  organization  of  a  similar  force  in  that  gallant  State." 

The  cost  of  such  a  body  of  troops  may  be  objected  to.  If  two  regiments 
are  two  much,  let  one  be  raised,  to  be  put  in  the  field  when  needed,  and 
wholly,  or  partially  furloughed,  when  not  needed.  This  is  no  time  to  count 
the  cost  of  maintaining  a  small  force  to  protect  the  State  against  raids,  our 
women  and  children  from  insult,  our  hearth-stones  from  desecration.  "With 
but  two  companies  of  mounted  troops  (the  Combahee  Rangers  were  dis- 
banded in  July  last,)  I  was  enabled  with  one,  Rogers'  company,  to  guaid 
in  part,  the  eastern  coast  of  the  State,  and  with  the  other,  Boykin's,  ma- 
terially to  assist  the  Confederate  Government  in  arresting  deserters,  which 
delicate  duty  has  been  most  satisfactorily  performed.  I  have  also  been 
enabled  recently,  at  the  request  of  Governor  Yance,  to  send  one  company, 
Captain  Boykin's,  into  North  Carolina,  where  it  has  rendered  most  efficient 


6 

services,  as  will  be  seen  by  reference  to  the  report  of  the  Captain,  and 
General  Yanee's  order  returning  them  to  their  own  State,  copies  of  which 
are  herewith  transmitted.  His  command  engaged  and  repulsed  a  force 
larger  than  his  own,  Captain  Boykin  having  two  men  wounded,  one  probably 
mortally. 

I  herewith  transmit  a  copy  of  the  able  and  satisfactory  Report  of  Major 
Niernsee,  State  Engineer,  upon  the  obstruction  of  the  Santee,  and  a  battery 
at  Taber's  Point,  St.  Matthew's  Parish,  Orangeburg  District,  together  with 
a  letter  from  General  Beauregard  in  relation  thereto. 

Accompanying  this  Message,  is  a  report  of  the  Commissary  General, 
showing  the  progress  made  in  suppressing  undue  distillation  in  the  State, 
and  explaining  the  inability  of  the  State  to  furnish  as  yet,  whiskey  for 
medicinal  purposes.  Your  law  prohibiting  undue  distillation  has  con- 
tributed largely  towards  keeping  down  the  price  of  breadstuff's,  particularly 
Indian  corn.  If  the  Confederate  Government  would  receive  its  tithe, 
and  postpone  impressments;  for  the  present,  (holders  will  not  destroy  the 
supplies,  nor  can  they  conceal  them,)  I  believe  the  breadstuff's  in  the 
country  are  amply  sufficient  for  the  people  and  the  army. 

The  question  of  conflict  between  the  State  and  Confederate  Exemption 
Acts  has  been  submitted  to  the  courts,  and  I  am  just  informed  that  the 
decision  of  the  Circuit  Court  is,  "  that  neither  the  Ordinance  nor  the  Act 
amendatory  of  it,  contemplated  exemption  from  any  service  besides  Militia 
service  in  the  State,  and  so  neither  is  in  conflict  with  the  Conscription  laws." 
As  I  said  in  my  message  of  September  last,  I  think  it  is  our  true  policy 
to  amend  our  exemption  laws,  so  as  to  make  them  conform  as  nearly  as 
practicable  to  those  of  the  Confederate  government.  This  may  be  done 
without  yielding  the  right  of  the  State  to  exempt  such  portion  of  her 
population  as  she  may  choose,  and  when  she  may  choose,  for  police  and  other 
purposes.  If  the  Confederate  Government  will  put  into  the  field  the  most 
of  the  able  bodied  men  between  eighteen  and  forty-live,  now  occupied  as 
Quartermasters  and  Commissaries'  Purchasing  Agents,  Enrolling  Officers 
and  Impressing  Agents,  and  in  other  similar  positions,  the  great  mass 
of  whose  places  can  be  as  well,  in  many,  and  in  some  instances,  better 
filled  by  disabled  soldiers,  and  the  State  governments  will  conform  their's 
to  the  Confederate  Exemption  Acts,  the  Confederate  Government  can  com- 
mand a  force  that  will  drive  beyond  our  borders  all  the  armies  the  Abolition 
government  can  congregate  for  the  further  prosecution  of  this  unholy 
war.  Your  attention  is  invited  to  the  views  of  the  Adjutant  and  Inspector 
General  upon  this  and  other  subjects  referred  to,  in  his  report  accom- 
panying this  Message. 

I  also  ask  your  attention  to  the  following  exemption  clause  in  our  own 
law;  ikThe  officers,  and  as  many  employees  of  each   Railroad  Company  ars 


the  President  or  Superintendent  may  certify  to  be  necessary  to  the  efficient 
conduct  of  its  business  ;  Provided,  that  it  is  also  certified  that  the  duty  of 
said  employees  cannot  be  discharged  by  slaves."  I  do  not  know  that  these 
officers  have  abused  this  trust.  Such  power  should  not  be  lodged  with  any 
one  who  is  not  directly  connected  with  the  administration  of  the  govern- 
ment. The  final  decision  should  be  left  with  the  Executive,  or  the  Adjutant 
General. 

The  permission  of  substitutions  is  suited  to  a  war  in  which  a  small  pro- 
portion of  the  arms-bearing  population  is  required  for  the  field, — not  to  a 
war  which  may  sooner  or  later  require  every  man,  without  reference  to  age, 
to  shoulder  his  musket;  and  especially  is  it  unsuited  to  a  conscription  sys- 
tem which  purports  to  take  all  able-bodied  men  between  given  ages.  You 
have  wisely  declared  those  having  substitutes  in  Confederate  service  still 
liable  to  State  service.  The  time,  I  suggest,  has  arrived  when  all  laws, 
whether  State  or  Confederate,  allowing  substitution,  should  be  repealed. 
They  operate  in  favor  of  a  class,  than  whom  none  have  a  deeper  interest  in 
the  success  of  the  cause. 

The  State  owes  no  higher  obligation  growing  out  of  this  war  than  to  pro- 
tect every  soldier's  family  against  want;  and  to  effect  this,  it  is  the  duty  of 
the  Legislature  to  increase  the  appropriation  to  be  distributed  by  the 
Soldiers'  Boards  of  Relief  to  any  amount  requisite;  and  if  necessary,  to 
raise  the  taxes  for  that  purpose.  And  these  taxes  should,  at  this  time,  be 
levied  upon  incomes. 

Of  the  fund  appropriated  for  the  Military  defence  of  the  State,  less  than 
one  half  has  been  expended.  The  six  months'  State  troops  having  gone 
into  Confederate  service,  and  the  exigencies,  though  threatening,  not  having 
required  the  calling  out  of  the  militia,  the  expenditures,  have  been  far  less 
than  was  anticipated.  I  have  directed  the  Auditor  to  obtain  estimates 
from  all  the  Departments  for  the  next  year,  which  I  will  send  in  as  soon  as 
completed. 

Upon  this,  the  Quartermaster  General's  Department,  and  other  subjects 
reported  upon,  I  call  your  attention  to  the  full  and  satisfactory  report  of 
the  State  Auditor.  The  arduous  duties  of  this  officer  have  been  faithfully 
and  ably  performed.  Under,  as  I  think,  a  mistaken  view,  much  of  his 
salary  has  been  expended  for  what  I  can  scarcely  suppose  it  was  the  expec- 
tation of  the  Legislature  it  would  be.  Such  an  omcer  at  this  time,  is  indis- 
pensable, but  his  labors  are  two  great  for  one  person.  One  assistant,  and 
for  a  short  period  two,  have  been  found  necessary  for  the  accomplishment  of 
the  work.  I  recommend  that  an  assistant  be  allowed,  with  a  competent 
salary. 

To  the  reports  of  the  Auditor  and  the  Commissary  General,  I  refer  you, 
for  information  as  to  what  has  been  done  in  procuring  and  distributing  wool 


and  cotton  cards,  and  the  procurement  of  card-making  machines.  It  is 
much  to  be  regretted  that  these  articles  could  not  have  been  sooner  procured. 
But  I  have  no  reason  to  doubt  that  the  agents  employed  to  procure  them, 
accomplished  all  that  was  practicable.  Learning  from  General  James  Jones, 
Quartermaster  General,  to  whose  superintendence  I  have  committed  the 
card-making  machines,  that  one  machinest  can  manage  ten  with  ease,  I 
ordered  one  to  be  made  here,  (not  yet  completed,)  and  have  purchased  nine 
others,  obtained  from  abroad,  six  of  which  have  just  arrived.  The  number 
of  wool  and  cotton  cards  received  will  relieve  much  the  wants  of  soldiers' 
families,  and  other  needy  families ;  and  the  card-making  machines,  I  trust, 
will  enable  me  before  a  great  while  to  materially  reduce  the  price.  The 
mode  of  distributing  them,  according  to  representation,  is  not,  under  exist- 
ing circumstances,  just.  It  would  be  far  more  so,  to  distribute  them  accord- 
ing to  the  actual  wants  of  all  the  districts,  to  be  determined  by  the  present 
population. 

I  transmit  herewith  copies  of  communications  from  some  eminently 
practical  citizens,  upon  the  subject  of  Government  ships  for  procuring 
such  machinery  and  supplies,  as  the  State  may  need  for  her  own  use,  or 
that  of  her  soldiers  in  Confederate  service.  The  Confederate  Government 
cannot,  at  all  times,  so  promptly  as  they  may  wish,  furnish  such  things  as 
the  army  may  need;  and  by  adopting  one  or  both  of  the  schemes  suggested, 
the  State  will  be  in  a  condition  to  procure  for  herself,  or  furnish  to  the 
troops  such  articles  at  much  less  cost  than  now. 

The  Confederate  Government  has  expressed  a  willingness  to  take  off  the 
hands  of  the  State,  the  Saltpetre  plantation,  and  her  interest  in  the  Lead 
mine,  at  cost  and  charges;  but  not  the  State  works.  I  did  not  deem  it  ad- 
visable to  transfer  the  least  important  and  expensive  part  of  the  Public 
works,  retaining  the  others.  The  working  of  the  Lead  mine,  I  recommend 
to  be  abandoned,  as  it  cannot,  according  to  the  Report  of  Dr.  LeConte, 
herewith  communicated,  be  made  profitable.  The  Saltpetre  plantation,  it  is 
believed,  can  be  made  to  pay  well,  and  is  a  very  interesting  experiment. 
The  advantages  of  the  State  works  do  not  appear  to  be,  so  far,  commensu- 
rate with  the  expenditures.  It  is  believed,  however,  that  they  will  in  future 
be  profitable,  if  the  expenses  of  procuring  coal  and  coke,  and  transporting 
iron,  do  not  prevent  it.  It  is  a  grave  question  for  your  consideration,  in 
the  present  state  of  the  country,  whether  it  would  not  be  better  now,  to 
change  the  locality  of  the  works,  placing  them  at  Columbia,  on  the  canal,  or 
near  the  iron  mines,  at  some  place  where  the  machinery  may  be  run  by  water. 
And  here  I  recommend  to  your  consideration  the  question  of  how  far  it 
may  not  be  desirable  for  the  State  to  do  something  towards  establishing 
more  direct  communication  with  the  Deep  River  coal  mines.     If  these  diffi- 


cullies  could  be  overcome,  the  information  I  have  received  on  a  recent  visit 
to  the  works,  from  the  intelligent  Superintendent  and  the  heads  of  the 
different  departments,  satisfies  me  they  will  be  profitable.  It  is  a  matter  of 
great  importance  to  the  State  to  have  it,  in  future,  in  her  own  power  to 
manufacture  the  implements  of  war  which  she  may  need. 

In  accordance  with  your  resolution,  I  contracted  for  the  manufacture  of 
one  thousand  Morse's  carbines.  A  part  of  them  have  been  completed,  and 
I  regard  them  the  best  Cavalry  weapon  in  use.  The  compensation  to  Col. 
Morse  has  not  been  determined  upon,  and  I  recommend  this  matter  to  your 
consideration,  as  something  more  than  the  mere  value  of  the  article  manu- 
factured, it  may  be  thought  proper  to  allow. 

Five  of  George's  Revolving  cannon  have  been  constructed,  uuder  your 
resolution,  and  inspected  and  approved  by  the  Ordnance  officer  of  the  State, 
whose  report,  together  with  reports  furnished  by  Geueral  Hampton  and 
Captain  Thomas,  as  to  the  utility  of  the  arm,  are  herewith  communicated. 
The  remaining  two  will  be  completed,  by  Captain  George,  at  an  early 
day.  In  order  to  have  them  fully  tested,  I  sent  one  to  General  Beauregard, 
and  another  I  delivered  to  General  Hampton,  to  be  carried  to  Virginia, 
where  it  can  be  tested  in  the  field.  He  proposed  to  replace  it  with  another 
which  he  has  ordered  to  be  constructed.  Two  others,  I  have,  within  the 
last  few  days,  sent  to  General  Beauregard,  at  his  revest,  he  thinking  them 
useful  at  Charleston.  The  fifth  is  at  the,  Arsenal  for  theainspection  of  the 
Military  Committees.  I  refer  you,  for  further  information  on  these  subjects, 
to  the  report  of  the  Ordnance  officer,  herewith  communicated. 

I  attended,  in  July  last,  the  annual  examination  of  the  Deaf  and  Dumb, 
at  the  Cedar  Springs  Asylum.  I  commend  this  Institution  to  the  fostering 
care  of  the  State.  No  one  who  has  not  attended  the  examinations  can 
form  any  adequate  estimate  of  the  happiness  imparted  to  the  unfortunate 
pupils  of  the  school  by  their  education. 

The  Citadel  and  Arsenal  Academies  are  in  a  flourishing  condition,  and 
at  this  juncture,  are  the  most  suitable  institutions  for  training  the  youths 
of  our  State.     I  commend  them  earnestly  to  your  care  and  encouragement. 

1  transmit  copies  of  a  communication  from  Hon.  James  A.  Seddon, 
Secretary  of  War,  acknowledging  the  receipt  of  your  resolution  of  Septem- 
ber, in  reference  to  impressments.  There  have  certainly  been  many  irregu- 
larities on  the  part  of  government  officials,  in  the  execution  of  the  law ; 
but  it  is  hoped  the  orders  of  the  War  Department,  recently  published, 
may  prevent  them  in  future. 

In  compliance  with  the  resolutions  of  your  Houses,  at  your  last  session, 
upon  the  subject  of  furloughs  to  the  six  months'  troops,  for  the  purpose  of 
gathering  their  crops  and  sowing  grain,  and  also  as  to  placing  troops  near 


10 

the  passes  of  the  mountains,  I  communicated  both  with  the  Secretary  of 
War  and  the  Commanding  General  of  this  department.  Their  replies 
are  herewith  transmitted.  Subsequently,  upon  representations  from 
Asheville,  and  also  from  the  citizens  of  Greenville,  that  the  danger  of  a 
raid  through  Asheville  into  the  upper  districts  of  this  State  was  imminent, 
the  Commanding  General  sent  to  the  mountains  one  regiment  of  State 
troops  and  a  battery  of  light  artillery. 

In  accordance  with  your  resolution,  I  accepted  the  offer  of  Mr.  William 
Gregg,  President  of  the  Graniteville  Manufacturing  Company,  to  deliver 
to  the  State,  for  distribution  through  the  different  Boards  of  Relief  for 
families  of  soldiers,  ten  thousand  yards  of  Graniteville  cloths  per  week.  I 
notified  him  of  my  acceptance  of  his  proposition,  and  have  received  several 
thousand  yards,  and  have  directed  the  distribution  according  to  your  reso- 
lution. Since  that  time,  I  have  received  from  Mr.  Gregg,  a  proposition  to 
change  the  terms  of  his  offer,  but  did  not  feel  warranted  in  acceding  to  it. 
I  transmit  copies  of  his  letter  and  of  my  reply. 

I  earnestly  recommend  an  increase  of  the  salaries  of  all  public  officers 
whose  salaries  are  not  limited  by  the  Constitution.  The  high  price  of  pro- 
visions and  rents,  renders  it  utterly  impossible  for  them  to  support  them- 
selves with  their  present  salaries,  especially  those  whose  duties  require 
them  to  live  in  Columbia.  I  enclose  herewith  copies  of  a  communication 
addressed  to  me  upon  this  subject. 

I  transmit,  also,  a  copy  of  a  communication  from  Hon.  Marshall 
McCue,  which  he  desires  should  reach  you  through  me,  upon  the  subject 
of  clothing  for  our  army,  together  with  a  pamphlet*  containing  his  speech 
in  the  House  of  Delegates  and  much  valuable  statistical  information. 

I  transmit,  also,  copies  of  a  memorial  and  letters  of  Mr.  B.  J.  Sage, 
upon  the  subject  of  a  Volunteer  Navy,  under  the  Act  of  Congress. 
I  recommend  this  subject  to  the  most  favorable  consideration  of  the 
Legislature.  The  recent  action  of  the  British  and  French  governments, 
renders  it  more  than  ever  desirable,  that  the  States,  themselves,  should 
take  some  steps  towards  furnishing  what  has  been  so  long  needed  to  bring 
the  war  to  a  speedy  and  successful  termination. 

In  accordance  with  your  resolutions  of  January  24,  1863,  I  established 
the  Richmond  Agency,  for  the  assistance  of  South  Carolina  soldiers.  I 
appointed  Colonel  E.  P.Jones,  of  Greenville,  agent,  and  authorized  him  to 
employ  two  assistants,  requiring  him  to  make  periodical  returns.  I  have 
every  reason  to  be  satisfied  with  the  manner  in  which  he  has  performed  his 
duties,  and  have  every  assurance  that  the  agency  has  contributed  greatly 
to  the  comfort  and  relief  of  our  soldiers  with  an  inconsiderable  outlay  of 
money.     Copies  of  his  annual  report  are  herewith  submitted. 


11 

I  transmit,  also,  a  communication  from  a  Committee  of  the  House  of 
Delegates  of  Virginia,  upon  the  all-important  question  of  the  currency. 
It  is  gratifying  to  know  that  in  your  bodies  are  to  be  found  some  of  the 
ablest  financiers  of  the  country,  and  I  trust  that  their  combined  wisdom 
may  suggest  some  means  of  improving  its  condition. 

I  herewith  communicate  copies  of  certain  resolutions  of  the  North  Carolina 
Legislature  upon  the  subject  of  loyalty,  enclosed  me  by  the  Governor  of 
that  State,  to  be  laid  before  your  bodies. 

I  transmit  also  the  first  battle-flag  of  the  loth  South  Carolina  Volunteers, 
with  the  correspondence  between  Lieutenant  Colonel  Brockman,  command- 
ing, and  myself.  It  was  the  flag  borne  by  the  regiment  under  the  lead  of 
its  gallant  Colonel,  Edwards,  who  gave  up  his  life  in  defence  of  that  flag 
and  his  country's  honor.  It  should  be  preserved  as  one  of  the  proud  me- 
morials of  the  gallantry  of  Carolina's  sons. 

I  recommend  an  amendment  of  the  sixth  section  of  "The  Act  to  enable 
citizens  of  the  State  who  are  engaged  in  military  service  to  exercise  the 
rights  of  suffrage,"  ratified  on  the  Gth  day  of  February,  1863,  so  as  to 
require  the  polls  to  be  opened  in  the  army  on  a  day  so  long  previous  to  the 
day  fixed  for  the  election,  as  to  secure  ample  time  for  the  transmission  of 
the  result  to  the  district  managers  before  the  day  for  declaring  the  election. 
The  office  of  Paymaster  General,  should  be  abolished,  and  the  duties 
assigned  to  the  Quartermaster  General's  department.  The  duties  of  these 
two  departments  are  consolidated  in  the  Confederate  government,  and  it  is 
found  to  work  well. 

All  joint  resolutions  should  be  engrossed  and  filed  in  the  Secretary  of 
State's  office,  and  be  published  with  the  Acts.  They  arc  so  disposed  of 
under  the  Federal  as  well  as  the  Confederate  governments,  and  I  incline 
to  think,  some  of  the  State  governments.  Having  the  force  of  law,  they 
should  be  as  accessible  to  the  public  as  the  Acts  of  Assembly  themselves. 
Moreover,  as  they  often  impose  duties  upon  the  Executive,  it  is  important 
that  he  should  have  ready  access  to  them  immediately  upon  the  adjourn- 
ment of  the  Legislature. 

I  enclose  a  joint  resolution  of  the  Legislature  of  Georgia,  just  received, 
setting  apart  the  10th  day  of  December  next,  as  a  day  of  fasting,  humilia- 
tion and  prayer,  and  requesting  the  Congress  of  the  Confederate  States,  the 
Legislatures  of  the  different  States,  the  Army  and  Navy,  and  all  the  people, 
to  unite  with  them  in  its  observance.  I  recommend  the  adoption  of  a 
resolution  of  concurrence,  with  a  request  to  all  the  good  citizens  of  this 
State,  to  unite  in  the  observance  of  that  day. 

Upon  your  deliberations,  I  invoke  the  blessings  of  the  Almighty. 

M.  L.  EON  HAM 


